The Scottish Chiefs | Page 4

oaths on oaths; but
your words is given, and on that I rely. Await me here."
Monteith unlocked a door which had been concealed by the tapestry,
and after a short absence re-entered with a small iron box. He set it on
the table near his friend, then went to the great door, which he had
before so carefully closed, tried that the bolts were secure, and returned,
with a still more pallid countenance, toward the table. Wallace,
surprised at so much actions, awaited with wonder the promised
explanation. Monteith sat down with his hand on the box, and fixing his
eyes on it, began:
"I am going to mention a name, which you may hear with patience,
since its power is no more. The successful rival of Bruce, and the
enemy of your family, is now a prisoner in the Tower of London."
"Baliol?"
"Yes," answered Monteith; "and his present sufferings will, perhaps,
avenge to you his vindictive resentment of the injury he received from
Sir Ronald Crawford."
"My grandfather never injured him, nor any man!" interrupted Wallace:
"Sir Ronald Crawford was as incapable of injustice as of flattering the
minions of his country's enemy. But Baliol is fallen, and I forgive him."

"Did you witness his degradation," returned Monteith, "you would even
pity him."
"I always pity the wicked," continued Wallace; "and as you seem
ignorant of the cause of his enmity against Sir Ronald and myself, in
justice to the character of that most venerable of men, I will explain it. I
first saw Baliol four years ago, when I accompanied my grandfather to
witness the arbitration of the King of Scotland between the two
contending claimants for the Scottish crown. Sir Ronald came on the
part of Bruce. I was deemed too young to have a voice in the council;
but I was old enough to understand what was passing there, and to
perceive, that it was the price for which he sold his country. However,
as Scotland acknowledged him sovereign, and as Bruce submitted, my
grandfather silently acquiesced. But Baliol did not forget former
opposition. His behavior to Sir Ronald and myself at the beginning of
this year, when, according to the privilege of our birth, we appeared in
the field against the public enemy, fully demonstrated what was the
injury Baliol complains of, and how unjustly he drove us from the
standard of Scotland. 'None,' said he, 'shall serve under me, who
presumed to declare themselves the friends of Bruce.' Poor weak man.
The purchased vassal of England; yet so vain of his ideal throne, he
hated all who had opposed his elevation, even while his own treachery
sapped its foundation! Edward having made use of him, all these
sacrifices of honor and of conscience are insufficient to retain his favor;
and Baliol is removed from his kingdom to an English prison! Can I
feel anything so honoring as indignation against a wretch so abject? No!
I do indeed pity him. And now that I have cleared my grandfather's
name of such calumny, I am ready to hear you further."
Monteith, after remarking on the well-known honor of Sir Ronald
Crawford, resumed.
"During the massacre at the capture of Berwick, Lord Douglas,
wounded, and nearly insensible, was taken by a trusty band of Scots out
of the citadel and town. I followed him to Dunbar, and witnessed with
him that dreadful day's conflict, which completed the triumph of the
English. When the few nobles who survived the battle dispersed,

Douglas took the road to Forfar, hoping to meet King Baliol there, and
to concert with him new plans of resistance. When we arrived, we
found his majesty in close conversation with the Earl of Athol, who had
persuaded him the disaster at Dunbar was decisive, and that if he
wished to save his life, he must immediately go to the King of England,
then at Montrose, and surrender himself to his mercy.**
**This treacherous Scot, who persuaded Baliol to his ruin, was John
Cummin of Strathbogie, Earl of Athol in right of his wife, the heiress of
that earldom.-(1809.)
"Douglas tried to alter Baliol's resolution, but without effect. The king
could not return any reasonable answers to the arguments which were
offered to induce him to remain, but continued to repeat, with groans
and tears. 'It is my fate.' Athol sat knitting his black brows during this
conversation; and at last throwing out some sullen remarks to Lord
Douglas on exhorting the king to defy his liege lord, he abruptly left the
room.
"As soon as he was gone, Baliol rose from his seat with a very anxious
countenance, and taking my patron into an adjoining room, they
continued there a few minutes, and then reentered. Doublas brought
with him this iron box. 'Monteith,' said he,